Chasing Alliecat by Rebecca Fjelland Davis

Chasing Alliecat by Rebecca Fjelland Davis

Published: February 1, 2011

Publisher: Flux

(288 pages, paperback)

Summary: Sadie Lester has been dumped with relatives for the summer. Boredom seems inevitable in her small Minnesota town until she meets Allie—a spiky-haired off-road biker with incredible grace and speed. Training for the upcoming bike race, Allie leads Sadie and cute fellow cyclist Joe up and down Mount Kato—an exhilarating rush that pushes their limits. The fun ends abruptly when they stray off the trail and find a priest, badly beaten and near death. After calling for help, Allie mysteriously disappears from their lives.

--

Just like the trash littering the beautiful river bluffs, there's something foul afoot. Creepy rednecks are prowling the woods, the same ones who ran Sadie and Allie off the road one night. It's not until the day of the big race that Sadie finally learns the startling truth about Allie, her connection to the priest, and what drove her into hiding. 

--

My thoughts: One of my favorite things about this book, and one I definitely was not expecting, was the bike riding portions. I've never been exactly physically fit, but the way Davis wrote about the exhilaration and thrill of racing and just riding made me wish I was a bike rider too. Another thing I loved was the balance of the story lines. There was a lot going on, especially for the latter half of the book, and nothing ever felt too overwhelming, or misplaced when it came to how the story went. There were a few rough spots, and sometimes the story got a little tedious, but in the end it was a great read and one that I would recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery with some romance tossed in.

--

Considering it's usually my favorite part of a novel, the romance was actually not all that key to the story. Don't get me wrong, I loved every bit of it, and it was not only well-written but realistic, which doesn't happen a lot in YA these days. But I really didn't mind that it wasn't so important to the story arcs since it didn't need to be. Not overbearing, but not underdeveloped at all.

--

Sadie was an honest character, and I really liked her. She was real in a way that made me feel empathy for her whenever something upsetting happened. And she was great at solving some of the mystery. While some teens in YA are portrayed as super-smart just because they can put two and two together, Sadie could actually hold her own, and she was intelligent, so I didn't feel like screaming at her when she got something wrong or twisted. Joe was a great character too. Three-dimensional and deep, with his own flaws and haunting past, in a good way. My real favorite was Allie, though. She was tough, smart, and totally unafraid of practically anything. She had her definite imperfections, but she was strong through the whole book. I admired her, and I loved how her story unfolded, even when it was sad or disturbing.

--

I don't want to ruin anything, so I'll just say that the mystery was so good. It had me flipping pages as quickly as possible and changing my guess after every chapter. I flew through this book because not only was the writing moving, but the suspense was amazing. I loved, loved, loved, Chasing Alliecat, and it's got to be one of the best mysterious reads I've read for a long time.

--

Covering the Cover: I'm not a huge fan, but I like the fact that the woods are so prominent since they're so important to the story.

Characters: 5/5

Plot: 4.5/5

Writing: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

The Demon Trapper's Daughter (Demon Trappers #1) by Jana Oliver

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver
Series: Demon Trappers, #1
Published: February 1, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
(340 pages, paperback)
Summary: Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…
Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…

Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps.  The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of d
...more

--

Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps.  The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.

--

But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood.  And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life?

--

My thoughts: Starting The Demon Trapper's Daughter I wasn't expecting such a deep story line, but it was surprisingly packed with emotion. Riley's always wanted to follow in her father's footsteps. She looks up to him like no one else, and she's training to become a demon trapper just like him. But then Riley's world is flipped upside down and she finds herself stuck with responsibilities she never imagined having. I can't tell you how much I loved the concept; the story is set in a futuristic Georgia where demons run loose and demon trapper's, well, trap them. Riley was a realistic, strong protagonist who I loved. She was snarky, and so was the other main (sort of) character, Denver Beck. And I was really surprised by how emotional the story got. I was hooked from the beginning and I loved it all the way through.
--
Riley Blackthorne is one of those girls who just doesn't let anyone push her around. She was smarter (most of the time) than your average butt-kicking teen, which I appreciated. Her backtalk and sarcasm made me laugh a lot. She was boneheaded sometimes, and she got on my nerves with her snap decisions, and she was definitely headstrong to a fault, but her flaws made her seem more fleshed-out and I liked her all the more for it. Speaking of boneheaded, my favorite character in Demon Trapper's was Beck, who was most definitely sarcastic and hilarious. He was a brilliant character, because he was also majorly flawed, but in a way that makes you love him. I loved how his and Riley's relationship developed, too. They were conflicting personalities, and Oliver did a great job of showcasing their like/hate relationship.
--
Like I said before, the story was really original and refreshing. It's always nice to see a girl standing up for what she believes in, and she was definitely not one to back down. There were a lot of twists and turns, and while the story was a bit predictable, it made up for it in originality and well-written plot twists. The story was a light one, but somehow I was still really emotionally attached to the characters. Oliver doesn't sugarcoat anything, that's for sure. At times I rolled my eyes at the cliche fighting scenes, or the somewhat cheesy dialogue, but overall I didn't mind so much. Oliver did sound like a teenager when writing for Riley, too, which is always great in a YA novel.

--

The back story and set-up for the novel was great. I really loved the way the demons were written and portrayed. Their wasn't a ton of background provided, but the facts and laws of Oliver's new world were pretty easy to comprehend. And the writing wasn't bad either. There wasn't anything super special about it, but it meshed well with the tone of Demon Trapper's and it wasn't distractingly bland or boring. The pacing was really good, which adds a lot to an action story like this one.
--
Okay, so the story did have its problems. One was definitely Riley's snap judgments and over-dramatic descriptions.I was slightly reminded of Marked and Zoey at points (shudder) with her sudden hatred for girls who look mean. And also, I didn't totally feel Riley and Simon's relationship. Simon was nice, and sweet, and I cared about him, but he was so plain and forgettable. And with Riley's recklessness and wild spirit, it didn't seem like a match. It seemed, well, boring. I gotta admit, if it does come down to it, I'm gonna be on Team Beck. I could really see something happening there, and I'm hoping for it. Lastly, the ending was a little bizarre. Okay, the whole story was bizarre, but the ending seemed way more bizarre than everything else. But oh well.

--

The Demon Trapper's Daughter was a great read. It was funny, action-packed, romantic at times, and even emotional. Riley was a likable, flawed but in a real way, protagonist who I will definitely enjoy reading more of. Beck was a fantastic charcter with a unique personality and sarcasm. The story was out-there, but it worked. And the writing, while not amazing, had its really great moments, and was fitting for the light, easy reading. I'd recommend it to fans of action YA and readers looking for a book with a strong main character.

--

Covering the Cover: Another great Elevensie cover. I love the way Riley is shown, and the colors blend really nicely.
Characters: 4.5/5
Plot: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Title: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares (Goodreads)
Author: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Published: October 26, 2010 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
(260 pages, hardcover)
Summary: “I’ve left some clues for you. 
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.” 

--

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions? 

--

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

--

My thoughts: This is my first Cohn/Levithan novel, and after completing it, I definitely hope it won't be the last. Dash and Lily are such opposites and yet so perfectly made for each other that I had to wonder how much Levithan and Cohn talked about their characters. Dash is a smart-ass who hates Christmas and isn't exactly what you'd call a 'people-person'. Lily is sweet, shy, and loves Christmas. You'd never pick the two of them to be such a cute couple, but I was rooting for them all the way. I loved the idea of a notebook of dares, and both Dash and Lily are so creative and out-there with their dares that I was totally wishing I would find a notebook like that.
--
Dash was undoubtedly my favorite character; his smart ass personality and constant use of huge words that only total word nerds know made me smile. I loved how Levithan wrote so intelligently (and a little condescendingly) that I even had to use the dictionary a few times. Plus, even if it's hard to relate to his hatred for Christmas, you gotta love how adamant he was about hating it. He was a nicely rounded, completely unique character that made me laugh out loud several times, and want to kiss him at others. And his refusal to turn down a dare was admirable.
--
Lily was an easily relatable character; she knows she's the odd girl out, but she's fine with it. I loved her voice, since she wasn't your average protagonist; sometimes you need a girl you can relate to more than admire. While I'm all for strong, brave heroines, seeing a real teen put in a strange and exciting situations was refreshing. I liked how Lily was average-looking and not super-popular. And I love, love, loved her chemistry with Dash. It was undeniable how she felt connected with him (after their first, disastrous meeting) despite their differences. Cohn's writing was nicely realistic and sweetly shy.
--
The story line was great; I loved the idea of a notebook being passed back and forth with strange, sometimes unthinkable dares. One of my favorite parts of the story was how neither character were tethered by their parents' presences too. Boomer was a great secondary character, since he provided the absent light, comedic relief Dash's somber, sarcastic chapters needed. And I liked Lily's brother and how he wasn't exactly the most caring brother, but he was still nice to Lily. Yohnny and Dov were funny in their couple of parts. I liked how there were gay characters involved (considering Levithan is so prominent in the GLBT lit) and how they were vital to some of the story, but not too involved to take away from Dash and Lily's narratives. The fact that Dash and Lily weren't in love at first sight and that their sudden relationship was anything but smooth gave the novel a real feel and made me connect better with the characters.
--
Overall, Dash & Lily's Book of Dares was a cute, light read with likable, relatable main characters and a story line that can't help but draw you in. Despite its shortness, it was surprisingly deep and detailed. Cohn and Levithan's writing styles fit nicely together and provided a great contrast. Some parts of the story were a little unnecessary and made me roll my eyes, and occasionally Dash's narrative dragged a little. Lily's dramatic demeanor turned me off a little towards the middle. But all in all, the flaws didn't hinder the novel to the point of no return. The novel was still a great read that I'd recommend to teens looking for a quick read.
--
Cover: 5/5 (I love how the snowflakes are hearts & how it looks like a New York corner)
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Overall rating: 4.5 stars

Pretties (Uglies #2) by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Pretties (Goodreads)
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Series: Uglies #2
Published: November 1, 2005 by Simon Pulse
(370 pages, paperback)
Summary: Gorgeous. Popular. Perfect. Perfectly wrong. 
Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.
But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.
Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive.

--

My thoughts: I was utterly captivated and hooked by this series during Uglies. And Pretties did not disappoint. Tally, a newfound Pretty and living the life she used to dream of having, has simultaneously forgotten her original mission of saving Shay. While she's busy partying and forgetting all of her worries, she meets Zane. And Zane is way more than he seems at the surface; he's actually a bit of a rebel, besides being gorgeous and programmed to fall in love with the new, gorgeous Tally. I have to admit, I fell in complete and total love with Zane. He was such a dare devil, and he really loved Tally from the start. Anyways, as Tally becomes more and more rebellious with Zane, she makes a dangerous decision that will possibly cost people their lives, and change all of the characters' lives--Uglies and Pretties alike--for good--again.

--

I've heard people say that this series went downhill from Uglies. I cannot disagree more; even though Uglies remains my favorite in the series, Pretties was interesting, dangerous, and edgy in a completely different way. The world Westereld has written is fascinating and eerie in its so-called 'perfection.' While Tally is being submitted to the all-encompassing society that doesn't want her to remember anything about her past life, she faces all new challenges to not only save her friends, Peris and Shay, but to regain her old spirit and memories. Even though I was all for David and Tally in the first book, I couldn't help but want her to be with Zane; he was different and related better to Tally; he was in her situation, and he wasn't afraid to face the challenges set before them. Pretties was different in a lot of ways from the first book, and I loved the changes in scenery and characters.

--

The society Tally lives in wants her to forget; when we start Pretties, she already has. But with the help of Zane (and, unknowingly, David) she gets a grip on the reality that she is no longer her own self; she is being controlled (again) by the Specials and by the society that wants her to be just like everyone else. Maybe my favorite part of this book was Zane, and probably because even though he had no help from outsiders or Uglies or from anyone, really, he managed to find himself again, and think his own thoughts. While Tally grows weaker in mind and spirit in this book, her friends grow stronger. I loved seeing more of Peris, too, even if he wasn't the boy Tally used to love like a brother. I missed the friendship Tally and Shay had, and I'll admit it seemed really kind of strained throughout the book, it added an extra element that was great.

--

In the end, Pretties added a lot of dimension to the story, and while the end made me cry a lot, I was still captured by how dynamic and amazing Westerfeld's world is. This book drew out more questions without answers and problems without solutions, and when I was done with it, I just wanted really badly to read the next one. I really connected with these strange, futuristic characters, and their complicated world is so interesting that I could read about pretty much anything from their society and be interested in it. The writing isn't always great; a bit simplistic, but because of the powerful story line and intriguing, deep characters, I found that I cared less and less about the format of the book, and more and more about what was happening and going to happen. Definitely recommended to any fans of the series and to YA readers in general; make sure to read this series if you haven't yet. It might not be too deep, but it is extremely diverse and different from any other fiction series out there, at least that I've come upon.

--

Cover: 5/5

Characters: 5/5

Plot: 5/5

Writing: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Title: Pretty Little Liars (Goodreads)
Author: Sara Shepard
Series: Pretty Little Liars #1
Published: October 1, 2006 by HarperTeen
Summary: Everyone has something to hide—especially high school juniors Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna.

Spencer covets her sister's boyfriend. Aria's fantasizing about her English teacher. Emily's crushing on the new girl at school. Hanna uses some ugly tricks to stay beautiful.

But they've all kept an even bigger secret since their friend Alison vanished.

How do I know? Because I know everything about the bad girls they were, the naughty girls they are, and all the dirty secrets they've kept. And guess what? I'm telling.

--

My thoughts: I read this book somewhat early last year and I'll admit to having thought it only okay. But the other day I saw the new, TV-series inspired cover, and I found myself buying it and Flawless, with its new cover design. I'm a big fan of the TV series, and having re-read the first book in the series, I'm now a big fan of the book series as well.

--

Alison disappeared three years ago and along with her, four girls' hideous secrets. Spencer, obsessed with being better than her sister and doomed to repeat the mistakes she made the summer Alison disappeared, is jealous of her sister's new boyfriend. The new, improved, Icelandic Aria has discovered her English teacher is the boy she recently hooked up with. Emily's not sure whether she's attracted to her boyfriend or the new girl in school. Hanna has shed her chubby, insecure past self for a new, popular, self-destructive lifestyle. As if their own issues weren't enough, the girls are now being stalked by someone who knows a little (or a lot) too much, and who goes by A. As they each cope with their dwindling privacy, they find themselves slowly morphing into what they used to be. And Alison doesn't seem quite so gone anymore.

--

The mystery in this series debut is enticing and scary in a posh, glittering way. The girls' problems are realistic and shocking in a way that only rich, secretive girls' secrets can be. Spencer, my favorite character on the show, is your stereotypical rich girl; overworked and overdramatic. But she's toting a secret that could destroy the other girls and an obsession with having everything her sister has. I just love how she's so clueless and cunning at the exact same time. Hanna, being my second favorite, and the object of my complete and total sympathy, is undoubtedly (in my opinion) the most 3-dimensional character, because not only is she doing multiple horrible things, but she is also the only one with a terribly sad past that made her the way she was. I love how she's the only girl not really afraid of Alison also.

--

Emily, struggling with her own sexuality, was a great character, because even as she struggles with her present worries, her constant fear of the past made her chapters seem the most suspenseful and creepy. Even Aria, who I felt somewhat bad for (until the end, when I felt horrible for her) at the beginning became somewhat relatable. The romance involved in her part of the story was hot and steamy and I loved that element. Shepard has a knack for writing the scandals that take place behind closed doors with a flair for the dramatic that makes the smallest thing seem huge.

--

I really loved the way Shepard wrote the story. With it being third-person, not too much was given away with the girls' thoughts, and their stories weren't jumbled like they might have been. Even though the story was written from third-person omniscient, each girls' parts had their own distinctive ring and their own personality. For instance, if the chapter was revolving around Hanna, the wording and the scenery was portrayed like Hanna might see it, or how Hanna might feel in it. Overall, Shepard's writing was elegant and eerie in a perfectly polished and mysterious way.

--

Even though I didn't totally appreciate the ruling out of who A might be, it was nice to have a little bit of closure. I've yet to read Flawless and hopefully that installment will be just as gripping, eerie, and dramatic. Shepard does an immaculate job of dangling the whole story in front of the reader without making it melodramatic or annoying. It's kind of like a cross of Desperate Housewives and I Know What You Did Last Summer, but realistic and dangerous. I read Pretty Little Liars in one sitting, and even though it's by no means deep or thought-provoking, it was ideal for what it was. Despite the superficiality of the girls' and some of their problems, it was engaging and a definite promising start to the series. I can't wait to get the next one. 

--

Cover: 5/5 (I really love this reprint version with the girls from the show.)

Characters: 4.5/5

Plot: 5/5

Writing: 4.5/5

Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

Title: The Horse and His Boy (Goodreads)
Author: C.S. Lewis
Series: Chronicles of Narnia #3
Published: September 15, 1954 by HarperTrophy
Summary: Narnia . . . where some horses talk . . . where treachery is brewing . . . where destiny awaits. On a desperate journey, two runaways meet and join forces. Though they are only looking to escape their harsh and narrow lives, they soon find themselves at the center of a terrible battle. It is a battle that will decide their fate and the fate of Narnia itself.

--

My thoughts: Of all the novels in the series, the Horse and His Boy was my least favorite growing up. Maybe it was all the grown-up words or the immaculate details about the landscapes and scenery in the novel, but either way, I found it unnecessary and a little boring. I find now that my opinion varies quite a lot since the last time I went through the third book in the Chronicles of Narnia.
--
Shasta, a poor boy who has been abused by his 'father' all his life, finds escape in a talking horse. The horse, who Shasta nicknames Bree, is from a land called Narnia, that Shasta has never seen or heard of. So when he proclaims that Shasta must be from 'Narnia and the North', Shasta gladly runs away with him. I really think this book is slightly under-acknowledged as one of the series. It is filled with fantastic imagery and symbolism that makes you think. As with the rest of its set, Lewis writes a novel full of lovable, strange characters in an extremely imaginative and original world.
--
The story starts out quite slow, with long descriptions of the Calormene ways and long, unbroken paragraphs. But slowly, Lewis gives a necessary backstory that leads us to the same conclusions that the characters come to. Once the action (and there's quite a lot of it) begins, it doesn't really stop, and the adventures Shasta, Bree, and their new companions, Hwin (another Narnian horse) and Aravis (a snobbish, privileged girl) go on are fun and exciting.
--
This time in reading this novel, I was struck by how the characters all transform. I really enjoyed reading how all of the somewhat dense, self-centered characters were changed by the events which unfold within the story. Lewis has a certain way with words that makes the entire story seem magical (I suppose it is anyways) and I really loved the character development. I didn't totally see the ending coming (My 5-year-old self had a surprisingly bad memory) and I appreciated the little perks to being an older reader. There was a lot of metaphors and symbols that I didn't first understand as a kid and Lewis is great at writing so that the stories appeal to children, teens, and adults alike.
--
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

Title: Stealing Heaven
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Published: June 1, 2008 by HarperTeen
(320 pages, hardcover)
Summary: My name is Danielle. I'm eighteen. I've been stealing things for as long as I can remember.
Dani has been trained as a thief by the best--her mother. Together, they move from town to town, targeting wealthy homes and making a living by stealing antique silver. They never stay in one place long enough to make real connections, real friends--a real life
In the beach town of Heaven, though, everything changes. For the first time, Dani starts to feel at home. She's making friends and has even met a guy. But these people can never know the real Dani--because of who she is. When it turns out that her new friend lives in the house they've targeted for their next job and the cute guy is a cop, Dani must question where her loyalties lie: with the life she's always known--or the one she's always wanted.
--
My thoughts: Danielle has only known one thing her life: stealing. Her father disappeared from her life shortly after getting arrested, and all she has left is her mother, and the silver she steals. The premise for this novel sounds really interesting, and I had high expectations since practically every reader I know loves Scott's writing. Having only read Living Dead Girl up to this point, I was expecting a lighter story with characters not quite as memorable. What I got was a poignant story line with characters that were emotional and definitely not forgettable. Dani is a mature teen who is faced with a problem she can't really solve. Even though her mother loves stealing (she does it even when she doesn't need to) Dani is worried by the fact that she's never felt the passion for silver that her mother always has.
--
My favorite part of this book (other than Greg; more on him later) was the way Dani has a strong draw towards what is right, but also how she's loyal to her mother. It was nice to see a genuine conflict with a teenager as its focal point. Dani was mature and intelligent. Her problems were real and serious and I loved how Scott let her deal with them. I also really liked her relationship with her mother, and how complex it got as Dani slowly realized she might be able to live the life she truly wanted to.
--
As proven in her other novels, Scott's uncanny ability to write like she's in her own character's heads was amazing. It really felt like Scott had lived through Dani's experiences and that she was feeling what Dani felt. The details were present enough to make me feel like I was there with the characters while also not cluttering out the story or Dani's emotions.
--
Lastly, I totally and completely loved Greg, the sweet cop, who honestly cares for Dani even as she pushes him away. I liked the conflicting emotions Dani felt toward him, and how they instantly connected. Greg was funny and smart and figured Dani out and still didn't judge her. Their romance was cute and sweet and I really enjoyed reading about it. Plus, Greg was drool-worthy, even with his crazy-looking hair. Scott did a great job in not over-doing the romance part, and keeping it still a main plot line.
--
I would've liked a little more resolution, or to have seen Dani's mom have a little bit more closure, but the ending was great anyways. It had an uplifting tone and a serious undertone that left me satisfied, but still wishing there was more. Just not in a bad way like sometimes novels can leave you. Stealing Heaven was a great read that was satisfying, uplifting, intelligent, and sweet. Like any good novel, it was intriguing from the start and through to the end.
--
Cover: 5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4.5/5
--
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

Life As We Know It (Last Survivors #1) by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
360 pages, Paperback
Published on May 1, 2008
Summary: Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.
--
Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of Miranda's struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all--hope--in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world.
--
Overview: Miranda Day is your average teenage girl. She lives in a small, close-knit community in Pennsylvania. And a meteor is about to hit the moon. Now, from that quick assessment, you've basically got the basis of this apocalyptic novel. And overall, the book was easy to follow, with the apocalypse scenario scarily realistic. It was intense and dark without getting to disturbing or depressing. Pfeffer's writing is smooth and feels like a teenage girl. Miranda was a good protagonist, even if she was a little despairing. My favorite part of this novel had to be the way the moon was described. I've always loved looking through telescopes and watching the moon up-close, and the theory that the moon could one day be so near that it overshadows everything, day and night, was eerie in just the right way. This novel was definitely fast-paced, without too much backstory to cloud Miranda's diary with her past unrealistically. It's a tough job sounding like a teenage girl and especially in providing her past without making it overly obvious that the author is trying to make readers sympathize with the protagonist. Pfeffer does a wonderful job of creating a world racked with unnatural scenarios and filled with death and destruction. 
--
Miranda was an easily likable girl thrust into strange circumstances. Through it all, she seemed real, not filled with bravado or a false sense of security. I feel that it would have been all too easy for Pfeffer to make her a hero, someone willing to sacrifice herself for her family. But she doesn't. And still somehow she comes out seeming like a real-life teenager, not really selfish or selfless. She has faults and makes horrifying mistakes, but I still liked her through it all. Miranda's mom was also a great character. She was sweet and caring and had real emotions without seeming like an overprotective, paranoid mother. My favorite character was Matt, her older brother, because he always seemed to know exactly how to react to the strange events in this novel. Johnny, her younger brother, was cute and I loved him too, because he was the lightness this novel sometimes lacked. My grievance: Miranda sometimes acted childish and selfish in the worst way, which sometimes made me mad. Also, Miranda's religious friend, Megan, was met with a terrible end and I would've liked to see the priest who caused her death punished at least a little.
--
The hole apocalyptic theme was well-done. It was eerie and scary and dark without seeming overwhelming or completely hopeless. Pfeffer did her research and it showed. Miranda's story was well-crafted, with every scene more gripping than the last. I loved the dream like scene where Miranda ice-skates with her idol, even though it brought a sense of lonesomeness into the story. Her brief but passionate romance with Dan was cute but a little too easy to me. Even though the tragedy can get a little overboard at times, it all held an air of reality; it wasn't so sad that nothing good ever happened, but it was sad enough that it felt like the end of the world. A problem I had with it was the ending when everyone gets the flu; (spoiler) it seemed a bit too contrived that all of them survived, even if it was by strange coincidences. I'm not sadistic, but it just seemed like a twist that didn't really need to be there. Lastly, I loved the last few pages. For the sake of not spoiling everything, I'll just say it was uplifting and left me with a tear in my eye and a hope that maybe all wasn't as dire as it previously seemed.
--
The writing wasn't exactly a strong point, but it served its purpose. I was impressed by the way Pfeffer delivered Miranda's diary entries, since sometimes it seems like writers push the characters into writing diaries so that they seemed unrealistic or forced. Miranda's entries felt real, for the most part. Sometimes, though, Pfeffer's writing seemed mature beyond Miranda's years. While, yes, Miranda was forced to grow up within a few short months, years before she normally would've, it also seemed like halfway through, she gained a perspective that wasn't as realistic. That being said, I liked how Miranda sometimes got mad and wrote angry entries, or depressed entries, or happy entries. They reflected well how Miranda felt, like an actual diary might.
--
Cover: 5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 4.5 stars
Writing: 3.5 stars
Overall: 4 stars

Graceling (Seven Kingdoms #1) by Kristin Cashore

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
471 pages, Paperback
Published on October 1, 2008
Summary: Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight — she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme, and in her case horrifying, skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. 
--
She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace — or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away... a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

--

I know, I know, yet another review from an old book. Bear with my outdatedness if you will. Oh, also, for the sake of the review, I'm going to just say it's going to have spoilers. Sorry guys.

Overview: The Seven Kingdoms, a world where there are humans called Gracelings, Graced with abilities ranging from beautiful voices to amazing cooks, is the setting and Katsa, a Graceling Graced with killing abilities is the main character. Okay, when I saw the description on the back, I did a double take. Cashore really got out there when it came to the world she created. And it was also amazing. Katsa is an extremely strong protagonist who can most definitely hold her own. As the king's niece, she's protected (even though she doesn't really need it) and therefore the commoners don't bother her like other Gracelings. Because in this world, Gracelings aren't praised, but ridiculed. Which, I thought, was weird and annoying. If I met someone with those skills, I'd revere them, not think of them as a freak. But, moving on; The story is complicated and again, I apologize, I'm on my iPhone and am not capable of writing a really long, detailed review. I'll just summarize my thoughts. Katsa was a fantastic protagonist because, not only of her attributes, but because she was strong-willed and never let anyone keep her from her goals. Po was a sweetheart and I loved him from his first appearance. Cashore's writing was fabulous: detailed, vivid, and real. She went through pains to keep the story clean and uncluttered of unneeded facts and the world she painted was dangerous and meticulous in every way. A complaint : Katsa's sudden epiphany that she was in fact in love with Po was a tad bit unprecedented and came out of nowhere. While I liked their romance after her realization, it seemed unrealistic that she should, so suddenly, realize her infatuation with him. The twists and turns Cashore threw in were great. I totally didn't see the ending's twist coming. It was also heartbreaking, while keeping up the same air of danger and flare of suspicion at every turn. I just absolutely adored the story. It was amazing. Period. In my opinion, anyway. Another small complaint: Katsa's final decision to remain unmarried and not stay with Po. Okay, it's fine if you don't want to be tied down. But if she loved him that much, I believe she would have stayed with him and made sure he was alright. Especially with his newly found condition. Po was undoubtedly my favorite character, not only for his sweetness and his love for Katsa, but because of his strength and will to always go on, even when things got rough. And by rough I mean, really rough. Bitterblue, the rescued princess, was kick-ass and awesome too. By the way, the villain,  King Leck, was freaky and definitely one of the last villains I'd want to face. But his end was a little hasty for me; I would've liked to see Katsa struggle more, instead of just fling a dagger and magically kill him. Lastly, the novel was a little graphic for me; I'm fine with gore (I was raised on horror movies) but I don't know that it was necessary in this case. Other than that, a spectacular novel. I've yet to get Fire, the book's prequel, but I will be getting it soon.

Cover: Oy vei, I wish I had the UK version. Gor-geous. 4 stars

Characters: 4.5 stars

Plot: 5 stars

Writing: 4 stars

Overall rating: 4.5 stars

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plan sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.
Sometimes life-ending.
Together Ethan and Lena can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.
--
Leaving off almost exactly where Beautiful Creatures ended, I had extremely high hopes for the sequel. However, the first hundred pages completely turned me off to Lena. I had understood most of her whining and complaining from Beautiful Creatures, but half of this book I wanted to punch her in the face. Ethan, sweet, almost-too-perfect Ethan finds Lena dancing and nearly-kissing a strange, mysterious Incubus, and hours later, she accuses Ethan of cheating on her! And yet, I could see why he kept going after her; who would ignore the love of their lives just because she's being a bitch? Okay, so, I got the ending and all, and I was happy with the outcome (kind of... it was fitting to say the least) but the journey there made me hate Lena so much I still kind of hate her now. I know she was reacting to Macon's death and her own decisions, but still, you can't erase all her hurtful behavior so easily. Ethan was great, once again, and saved the novel from becoming tedious. While I sort of, kind of, stopped wanting him to be mine, it was mostly because I wanted him to get Lena if only for the sake of Ethan getting his way, instead of Lena. The story line a lot of twists, to say the least, but one thing I found fantastic was that while the authors did backtrack slightly to change a few of the previously set Caster rules, it was tastefully done, and it made sense. I can't tell you how many authors backtrack, rewrite laws and rules and facts, and it makes no sense. But it was perfectly done in Beautiful Darkness. Overall, a great book, though it did fall ever so slightly short of my expectations. Oh, one other thing: my affections have fallen with Link; he's just so dang cute with his Southern accent and cluelessness. The ending just sealed the deal, too; so back off girls.
4.5 stars (grr Lena) and a recommendation to fans of the series. Read Beautiful Creatures first for sure.